Beavers are trying to turn page to next foe, Hawaii

Mike Riley was talking to a friend on Monday who asked if the Beavers had a game this week.

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By Wire reports

MailTribune.com

By Wire reports

Posted Sep. 4, 2013 at 12:30 AM
Updated Sep 4, 2013 at 3:30 AM

By Wire reports

Posted Sep. 4, 2013 at 12:30 AM
Updated Sep 4, 2013 at 3:30 AM

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Mike Riley was talking to a friend on Monday who asked if the Beavers had a game this week.

Riley said they did and his friend replied, "Oh, that's good."

"That would have been hard to sleep on for two weeks," Riley said Tuesday, referring to Saturday's 49-46 upset at the hands of Eastern Washington.

Riley, his staff and his players are more than ready to move on from the opening loss, but on the Pac-12 coaches' conference call, he was again asked to rehash a puzzling setback to a (supposedly) lower team.

"We got totally disrupted," Riley said. "That quarterback from Eastern Washington, to give him and their team credit, they made plays and they were great. We were way out of sorts in the pass rush and pass rush lanes, we were mis-aligned defensively, we made some crucial errors in Cover 3 and giving up a deep ball right down the middle of the field. We made simple football mistakes like lining up and not maintaining position on receivers. We were continually out of sorts."

Riley talked in particular about All-American candidate Scott Crichton, one of the best defensive ends in the Pac-12 who had a quiet Saturday with just two tackles.

"I think, again, it was the quarterbacking giving us fits," Riley said. "Scott could never quite get there or finish a play. We just couldn't get to the guy."

The Beavers were one of eight FBS schools to lose to FCS schools in Week 1, a statistic Riley acknowledged as surprising.

"It's pretty impressive, isn't it?" he said. "You're looking at (teams) like North Dakota State (which beat Kansas State) and Eastern Washington, good programs that have sustained success, so they play good football."

Eastern Washington won the 2010 FCS title and played in the semifinals last year. North Dakota State, which upset defending Big 12 champion Kansas State 24-21 last week, was the FCS champion in 2012.

"They've been playing at the highest level in their division forever," said Riley, "and they have some outstanding players. I think that's what's happened in recruiting, (FCS) has given more people a chance — their quarterback is a great example of that."

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HAWAII NEXT: The Beavers are looking to this Saturday's game at home against Hawaii (0-1).

"We're back in the flow right now getting ready for a game," Riley said. "I think we have responded well the early part of practice this week."

Riley said he was impressed with the way Hawaii played against USC.

That is the focus moving forward this week.

"It all turns into the specifics of what Hawaii does," Riley said. "So you prepare for what they do and who they're doing it with so that's how every week changes basically. Then we try to gain more and more confidence throughout the week."

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NOT TACKLING: Riley isn't letting Saturday's defensive meltdown impact his no-tackling-in-practice policy. He continued to not allow live tackling during Monday's and Tuesday's sessions, a decision that figures to stay in effect throughout the season.

"Once we get into the season," he said, "we reallynever full-speed tackle."

That means the Beavers must try to improve upon their tackling miscues by focusing on achieving better angles in shorts and shoulder pads. The approach makes them a bit different than their Pac-12 counterparts, most of whom will have the allowed two full-contact practices per week during the regular season.

Since Riley didn't want his banged-up team to risk injury in fall camp, OSU players haven't tackled since April. And it showed against the Eagles. The Beavers forced one punt the entire game and allowed 625 yards of total offense.

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BOLDEN'S FIRST ACTION: Freshman receiver Victor Bolden saw his first action and got in on the kickoff return team.

He had six returns for 119 yards with a long of 27.

"I think he handled the game very well as far as the nerves and being out there making plays on kickoff return," Riley said.

"I think he is capable of so much more. I think once he starts to settle down and see things a little better he'll be better."

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INJURY NOTES: Wide receiver Brandin Cooks (sore lower back) took punts before Tuesday's practice, and Riley expects him to be ready to play against Hawaii.

"I think he was much better today," said the coach. "He caught punts (before practice). I would expect him to do some practicing (today) which would be good."

Riley also expects center Isaac Seumalo, who practiced Monday and Tuesday after missing the EWU game with a bruised knee, to be ready to play this weekend.

O-LINE SOLID: Even with two first-time starters, the offensive line was solid on Saturday.

Josh Mitchell filled in for Seumalo at center and Roman Sapolu took over at right guard as Grant Enger moved to right tackle.

"I think the guys did a nice job for sure up front," Riley said. "I think assignments were good. That doesn't mean we didn't get beat. ... One of the few throws (Sean Mannion) missed was because of the pressure.

"So it wasn't like perfect but it was good to not get sacked. I think the pressure and the talent will get stronger as we go so we're going to have to be better and better."